Jake Lawrence, Third Base (Bottom of the Ninth #3)

by Jean Joachim

  Waiting for his food, he sauntered over to the piano and leaned down to kiss Kate when she finished her song. She ran her palm over his cheek and shot him a questioning glance.

  “Yeah. We won.”

  “Yay!” She raised both arms with fisted hands and cheered.

  The people at the bar asked for his autograph. He obliged, as always. Tommy dropped his burger at the table and an extra, too. Jake sat down in front of his plate. He checked his watch.

  “Yes, she’s off in five minutes. So I thought she might like to join you. Hers is comped.”

  “Thanks, Tommy.”

  Kate wound up her song, thanked the patrons and joined him. While they ate, he regaled her with details of the game. She listened, making eye contact, showing her interest. He asked her about the evening.

  “There was one guy Sam had to escort out, but otherwise, it was a nice group.”

  “If I’m here and someone tries to move in on you, I’ll take them out. With my fist,” he said, popping a fry in his mouth.

  She smiled. “I love how protective you are, but it wouldn’t be worth hurting your hand on some idiot, sweetheart.”

  She called me ‘sweetheart’. He swooned, quietly to himself.

  When they finished eating, Jake paid the bill and took her hand, lacing her fingers with his. He drove carefully because he had precious cargo. Once they were inside the door, he had his way with her dress. They made love in the light of the summer moon.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Jake sat back next to Skip Quincy on the bus to the airport. Confidence in his relationship made taking a road trip no big deal. He’d miss Kate, but he’d call her. He figured he’d call her every night. Simply saying “goodnight” would ensure he’d sleep soundly.

  He played cards with his teammates, joked with the trainers, but didn’t flirt with the stewardesses. Flirting with other women was over. He had the best woman in the world. He’d be damned if he’d screw it up by flirting with some groupie in a bar. He wondered if that would be hard to give up, but on his first night with Skip and Nat, he found he had little interest in the women who buzzed around his teammates.

  He’d even stopped participating in the hot chick search during slow games. He threw in his five bucks, but he didn’t bother perusing the stands. He knew, without looking, there wouldn’t be any women there who could compete with Kate McKenzie. But he didn’t want to turn his nose up at his friends’ game. So he tossed in a fiver and congratulated the winners.

  Every night, whether he’d had a night or a day game, Jake drove to Freddie’s to pick up Kate. It wasn’t safe for her to take the subway or even wait outside to get a taxi. Some nights they’d come right home because he had to be up early. He’d already eaten the dinner she’d prepared earlier in the day and left for him. On his early days, he’d look forward to seeing what she’d made for him. She’d bring home a burger from Freddie’s. When they arrived, she’d eat, then they’d hop into bed for a quick cuddle before sleep.

  Curling himself around Kate brought on the deepest sleep he’d ever had. Since they slept naked, he had access to her soft skin all night long. In her sleep, she’d fasten a hand around his bicep or flatten her palm on his chest, bringing a smile to his face. Her touch brought happiness.

  Days breezed by. Their unusual schedule evened out. The calendar helped them keep track of each other, and missed meals stopped. Middle of the night propositions occurred only on nights before evening games. Jake’s batting average climbed, his fielding percentage remained steady, and errors charged to him dropped to almost zero. His coach noticed.

  “Keep up the good work, Jake,” Cal said, slapping Lawrence on the back.

  He smiled at his manager.

  “You been practicing regular and it shows,” Crawley commented.

  “Yeah. Bein’ happy doesn’t hurt, either,” he mumbled.

  Cal laughed, shook his head, and headed for his office.

  Jake hadn’t expected living with Kate would be so perfect. Thoughts about making it permanent floated through his mind. Sure, he knew it was early. But when something was as right as this, why wait?

  It didn’t take his buddies long to figure out something was up. In the shower next to him, Skip piped up.

  “So, when you gettin’ married?”

  “What?” Jake’s head snapped up.

  “You heard me. Gonna walk up the aisle with this chick?”

  The third baseman laughed. He wasn’t ready to reveal his thoughts, even to his best friend.

  “We all know you been thinkin’ about it. See it in your eyes. You have that ‘married’ look.”

  “Oh? And what the fuck is that?”

  “I dunno. Just something a guy gets. Around the eyes. You know?”

  “No, I don’t.”

  “Yeah, kind of a melancholy thing. Sort of like a puppy dog.”

  Jake threw a bar of soap at Skip. “Fuck you! I’m no puppy.”

  “Maybe you’re a tomcat with his balls cut off. Cuz you sure look pussy-whipped to me.”

  Jake rinsed his hair once more, then stomped out of the spray, and grabbed a towel. Damn him! He’s spoiling it. Jake dressed quickly without uttering a word. He didn’t want to see Skip and talk about his plans. So what if the guys think I’m crazy? None of their fucking business.

  He drove to Freddie’s, waved at Kate, and took a seat at the Nighthawks’ table. He ordered the special, chicken parmigiana with spaghetti and a beer. While he waited for his food, he studied his lover. She wore a short dress in a sparkly teal color, silver necklace, and earrings. The dress almost matched the elusive shade of her eyes.

  The oldest of three children, he wondered what his parents would say when he told them what he had planned. His younger brother and sister were already married. His brother had a kid, too. Jake chuckled to himself. They’d probably say, “It’s about time!”

  He hadn’t seen his family since the holidays last year. Once the season started, he played every day or almost every day. There was no time for vacations or family visits. They understood and were proud of his achievements. Besides, his siblings lived nearby and spent plenty of time with his folks. How would Kate fit into his family?

  His mom taught school and his dad was in his last years of coaching at a local college. They lived a couple of towns away from Willow Falls. Although he’d loved growing up in the country, now he was a city guy and enjoyed living in the Big Apple and being on a high-profile professional ball team.

  Although he’d been in New York for a couple of years, he had yet to take advantage of all it had to offer. He hoped Kate would help him discover the treasures of New York. He sighed, looking at her and imagining picnics in Central Park, nights at the theater, Christmas on Fifth Avenue. His dreamy thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a familiar voice.

  “Well, hello there.”

  Raising his gaze, his heart sank and his pulse kicked up.

  “Angela! What are you doing here?”

  “We used to be dating, remember?” She pulled out a chair and sat down. “Or am I no longer welcome at the Nighthawks table?”

  “Of course, of course. Sit down.” Oh shit! She was the last thing he needed to tip the delicate balance of his perfect life.

  “Can I have a glass of wine?”

  “Certainly.” He motioned for Tommy.

  Angela asked for a wine list and took her time going over it, looking for the rarest and most expensive wine, he guessed. She always did that. She was such a snob, spouting off about this vineyard or that, why it was good or why she’d never let their product touch her lips. He hated her pretense. And when she did it in front of the other guys, she embarrassed him. He could see them glaze over and shuddered to think how much grief he’d take about her in the locker room the next day. None of his teammates liked Angela. Skip actually cheered when he heard she was going to Europe for four months.

  “Maybe you can find a normal chick while she’s gone,” he’d said, not knowing he wa
s echoing Jake’s sentiments exactly.

  Now she was back and he needed to get rid of her as fast and as quietly as possible. He cringed at the idea of the fuss she’d make when he made it clear they were through. She had had it coming for months. She wasn’t nice to his friends, insisted on spending his money like water, although she came from a wealthy family, and was lousy in bed. Angela looked down on the world. Very few were her equals in her eyes. She said sex was messy. He’d laughed. His response, “Especially if you do it right.” She hadn’t returned the chuckle.

  He’d often wondered why she was with him but never had the nerve to ask. Now he wanted her gone and fast, before Kate came around asking questions.

  “How was your trip?”

  “So-so. Europe isn’t what it used to be. So many low-class people there now. It’s disgusting.”

  “That’s too bad. What are your plans now?”

  “I thought we’d take up where we left off.” She reached for his hand, but he pulled it away.

  “Angela, things have changed,” he began, glancing over at Kate, who was facing him, her eyebrows raised. Oh shit! Fuck! Damn you, Angela.

  And it was break time. He heard the arpeggio Kate always played before she took a bathroom break. She’d be heading over to his table. Sweat started on his forehead. Jake wiped his face with his hand.

  Angela looked at Kate, then back at him. “Her?”

  Jake nodded. Dread filled him. Kate sashayed over and bent to kiss him. He closed his eyes, avoiding Angela’s glare.

  “Who’s this, Jake? Aren’t you going to introduce us?” Kate stood next to him, resting her hand on his shoulder.

  “I’m his girlfriend, Angela. And who the hell are you?”

  Kate stepped back as if she’d been punched. “If you’re his girlfriend, where have you been?”

  “In Europe for four months. Jake knows that.” Angela looked Kate up and down. “You’ve made a nice little stand-in, I see. But I’m back. So you can crawl back under your rock now.”

  Jake pushed to his feet. “Angela! Don’t talk to her like that. She and I are together. You and I are through. You knew that months ago. We had this discussion on the phone before I left California.”

  “I didn’t take that seriously. You were pouting because I was leaving. I figured you needed to sow a few wild oats and so I let you. But now I’m back and she can mosey along.”

  “For two cents, I’d punch your lights out,” Kate muttered, her face growing red.

  “Angela, we’re done. We’ve been done for four months. We were done before you left.”

  “Oh? I didn’t think so as you fucked me the night before I left.”

  Jake raked his hand through his hair. “This is getting ugly. I’m not going to have a fight with you here. I’m telling you we’re done and that’s it. Kate is living with me and that’s the way I want it. We didn’t have anything when you left and you know it.”

  “I thought we did.”

  “Well, you were wrong.”

  “Don’t you have any dignity? The man flat out told you it’s over. Wish him well and walk away gracefully,” Kate put in.

  “Who the hell are you to tell me about dignity, you little whore?”

  That was it. Kate took a step forward and slapped Angela across the face. Sam, the bouncer, appeared out of nowhere.

  “This woman giving you a hard time, Kate?”

  “Yes, she is, Sam.”

  “Lady, it’s time to leave.” Sam stood between them, his massive arms folded across his chest.

  “Jake, are you going to let this man throw me out?”

  “Yep. I am. You’ve behaved badly. You deserve to go.”

  “Lady, you can do this the hard way or the easy way. The choice is yours,” Sam said, reaching for her arm.

  Angela pulled away from him. “I’m going. Who needs to hang out with trash like this? She looked at Jake and Kate. I’ve got better things to do.” She huffed her way to the door with Sam following.

  Kate narrowed her eyes and looked at Jake.

  “Is what she said true? Is she, was she, your girlfriend?” Her eyes filled.

  “No, no. I told her we were done when she left. She was never anything to me. We dated for a couple of months, that’s all. Angela could never be competition for you. Please, Kate, believe me. It’s you I love. Don’t let her come between us.”

  He whipped a handkerchief out of his pocket and handed it to her. Her hand shook as she dabbed at her eyes.

  “I’d like to believe you.”

  “Then do. She’s nothing to me. Nothing.”

  “We’ll see.” She glanced at her watch. “I’ve got to get back.”

  Kate returned to the piano. She motioned for Tommy. Jake overheard her order a vodka tonic. He frowned. Kate never drank when she was singing. He checked the time. One more hour before he could take her home and explain, in private, how she’d captured his heart.

  He finished his beer and settled up his bill. Dan Alexander joined him. Jake was happy to spend the rest of the hour listening to Dan moan about his family and Holly’s

  “The hardest part is finding the right girl. You’d think the wedding would be a slam dunk, right? Wrong. Women.” Dan shook his head, then took a slug of beer.

  Jake sighed. If he and Kate got married, he wouldn’t have any of Dan’s woes. Nope. Kate’s mom didn’t have money, probably didn’t care if her daughter married or not. They could have a nice, quiet little wedding upstate at his folks’ place, then take a great honeymoon to Paris or the Caribbean. He grinned, but not for long. After a questioning, unhappy glance from Kate as she played, I Love Paris, he wondered if she’d be around long enough to propose to. Damn you, Angela. He shot a tentative smile back, wondering what was going through her mind.

  * * * *

  Kate’s hands trembled as she held them above the piano keys. She elected to play an instrumental as her voice shook too much to sing. She wanted to run from the place and never return. But years in show business taught her that the show must go on, and she had to suck up her feelings and continue until the gig was over.

  Pain sliced through her heart. Was that witch really Jake’s girlfriend? How long had they dated? Was he still committed to her when Kate met him? And did that mean his commitment to Kate was only good until the next woman came along? Though she tried to force herself to concentrate, questions circled in her brain.

  Finally, she clamped down, turned her mind to the revival of Guys and Dolls in Seattle where she had played the lead. She sang tunes from that show, the words flowing easily because she’d done the music so many times. A few people wandered over and joined in. Sam hovered on the periphery of the little circle and shot her a thumb’s up. He’d protect her from anything. She smiled. But who would protect her heart from Jake Lawrence?

  She saw him glance her way, his brows knitted, and his smile tentative. Did that mean he was worried about what she thought or he was rethinking being with her? Once again, she focused on the song, If I Were a Bell.

  At eleven on the dot, she closed the piano and bid farewell to the disappointed patrons. She needed to get out of there and talk to Jake. When she stood, he was waiting for her by the door, his car keys jingling.

  “Come on, honey. I’ve got to get you home,” he said, taking her elbow and ushering her out before Tommy could deliver food. Sam raised his hand and she nodded back at him. They were quiet on the ride home. Kate wanted to gather her thoughts before speaking. Her heartbeat quickened as they rode up in the elevator. Now she knew how a condemned prisoner felt on his last walk to the electric chair.

  “Smile, baby. You’re not being executed,” Jake said.

  Might as well be. She managed a thin smile.

  He opened the door for her. She headed for the liquor cabinet and nabbed a bottle of vodka.

  “There’s chili left over. It was really great. Can I heat up a bowl for you?”

  “I’m not hungry,” she said, reaching past him to grab a bottle
of tonic.

  “That’s not a good idea, babe,” he said, removing the alcohol from her hand.

  “Now I can’t have a drink?” She straightened.

  “Can you wait until after we talk? You might feel differently.”

  Frowning, she slumped down into a chair. “You want to talk? Talk.”

  He took out a bottle of apple juice and filled two glasses, then handed her one.

  “In case you’re thirsty. I mean after all that singing.”

  She sipped the liquid, her eyes large, staring at him. Fear coursed through her and she gripped the arm of her chair to keep her hand from trembling.

  He glanced down at his palms, then up at her.

  “I love you, Kate. With all my heart. I hope you’re not letting what Angela said get between us.”

  “When did you break it off with her?”

  “I’m not sure, exactly. But it was before the road trip, ‘cause I remember feeling really free when I hit the highway.”

  “Before you met me?”

  “Way before.” He palmed his phone. “Do you want to check my cell? It’ll have the date of my last conversation with her on there. Go ahead. It’s okay. I’ve nothing to hide.”

  She held up her hand. “No. That’s okay.”

  “Angela and I never had anything serious. She’s a wealthy chick looking for kicks. She was slumming with me, dating me because she knew her parents wouldn’t approve.”

  “How did you meet her?” Kate’s pulse slowed to normal.

  “At a charity event. She was coming on to me. Frankly, I was in the mood to get laid, so I played along.”

  “And?”

  “And she wanted more. I didn’t have anyone else and hey, free sex when I wanted was hard to turn down.”

  “Was she good?”

  “In bed?” He chuckled. “Selfish people are selfish everywhere, honey. It was okay, but nothing to brag about. I had some fun at a few snooty affairs she dragged me to. Loved the look on the faces of some of the people there when I told them what I did for a living,” he said. “Baseball? You play a children’s game for a living?” God, those snobs cracked me up.